KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Savannah scored three runs in the last two innings, then held off the host Intimidators’ rally for a 3-2 Sand Gnats victory Tuesday night in Class A South Atlantic League action.
The Sand Gnats (42-20) moved closer to the Southern Division’s first-half title but the win wasn’t secured until closer Robert Coles (11 saves, 1.95 ERA) got Trey Michalczewski on a called strike three with two runners on base and another runner already home in the bottom of the ninth.
With the game tied at 1 through eight innings, Savannah’s Jeff McNeil led off with a walk and L.J. Mazzilli singled. The runners advanced on Dominic Smith’s sacrifice bunt.
McNeil scored and Mazzilli took third when Jorge Rivero reached base on shortstop Tyler Shryock’s throwing error.
Mazzilli scored when Amed Rosario reached on a fielder’s choice fielded by pitcher Jose Brito (0-1, 4.82). Rivero safely got to second.
Kannapolis (29-34) scored the game’s first run with two outs in the fifth. Kale Kiser tripled to center and came home on Christian Stringer’s single which deflected off pitcher Ricky Knapp.
The Gnats did little against Intimidators starter Robinson Leyer (four hits, no walks, nine strikeouts), before he exited after seven scoreless innings. Leyer’s replacement, Brito, gave up a triple to the first batter he faced, Rosario.
One out later, Colton Plaia singled home Rosario for a 1-1 tie.
Savannah ab r h bi Kannapolis ab r h bi
Biondi lf 4 0 1 0 Jones cf 5 0 2 0
Cecchini ss 4 0 2 0 Shryock ss 4 0 2 1
McNeil 3b 3 1 0 0 Mchczwsk 3b 5 0 1 0
Mazzilli 2b 4 1 1 0 Morris rf 3 0 1 0
Smith 1b 3 0 0 0 Dowdy c 3 0 0 0
Rivero rf 4 0 0 1 Thomore dh 3 0 0 0
Rosario dh 4 1 1 1 Kiser lf 4 1 1 0
Stuart cf 4 0 1 0 Stringer 2b 4 1 2 1
Plaia c 3 0 1 1 Williams 1b 3 0 0 0
Totals 33 3 7 3 Totals 35 2 9 2
Savannah 000 000 012 — 3
Kannapolis 000 010 001 — 2
E—McNeil, Michalczewski. DP—Kannapolis 2. LOB—Savannah 5, Kannapolis 10. 2B—Biondi. 3B—Rosario, Kiser. SAC—Smith. CS—Jones.
SAVANNAH IP H R ER BB SO
Knapp 7 5 1 1 3 4
Frias W,4-0 1 1 0 0 0 1
Coles S,11 1 3 1 1 0 2
KANNAPOLIS IP H R ER BB SO
Leyer 7 4 0 0 0 9
Brito L,0-1 2 3 3 3 1 1
HBP—Dowdy (by Frias). T—2:34 (0:59 delay). A—1,588.